Carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients

ABSTRACT

The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients is a waist-mounted pouch adapted for storing and carrying a chemotherapy pump and bag set. The carrying pouch includes front and rear panels, with each of the front and rear panels having first and second longitudinally opposed side edges and laterally opposed upper and lower edges. The lower edges of the front and rear panels are secured together, and the first side edges of the front and rear panels are also secured together. Both the upper edges and the second side edges are releasably sealed together, allowing the user to access the open space defined between the front and rear panels through either the upper edge of the pouch, or through one side of the pouch. The open space formed between the front and rear panels is sized to receive the chemotherapy pump and bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/998,454, filed Oct. 11, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers for carrying objects on the person, and particularly to a carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients that is adapted for receiving a chemotherapy pump and bag set.

2. Description of the Related Art

Portable chemotherapy dispensers allow chemotherapy treatment to be administered away from treatment facilities, such as hospitals. Such dispensers generally include a bag or pouch of chemotherapy medication, a pump, a catheter, and associated tubing. The components of the dispenser are sized so as to be carried by the chemotherapy patient. Typical pumps have dimensions of approximately four inches by six inches by one inch and weigh approximately sixteen ounces. The associated bag typically has dimensions of approximately three inches by seven inches by ¾ of an inch, and weighs approximately twelve ounces when full. Medication is drawn by a pump from the bag through tubing therebetween and forced through tubing between the pump and the catheter. The catheter is suitably inserted into the patient's body, generally in the torso, so that medication dispensed by the pump is administered to the patient.

The use of such equipment is common by patients who require surgery for colorectal cancer and who must undergo an adjunct course of Perioperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (PIC).

Carrying the chemotherapy apparatus is often awkward and inconvenient for the user. Further, belt-mounted harnesses and the like not only place the chemotherapy apparatus in an awkward position when the user is walking or sitting, but make the function of the harness and apparatus obvious to outside observers. It would be desirable to provide a comfortable and discrete carrying pouch for the chemotherapy apparatus. Thus, a carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients is a waist-mounted pouch adapted for storing and carrying a chemotherapy pump and bag set. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients includes front and rear panels. Each of the front and rear panels has first and second longitudinally opposed side edges and laterally opposed upper and lower edges. The lower edges of the front and rear panels are secured together, and the first side edges of the front and rear panels are also secured together by stitching or the like.

Both the upper edges and the second side edges are releasably sealed together, allowing the user to access the open space defined between the front and rear panels through either the upper edge of the pouch, or through one side of the pouch. The open space formed between the front and rear panels is sized to receive the chemotherapy pump and bag.

At least one front strap is secured to the front panel adjacent the second side edge thereof, and at least one rear strap is similarly secured to the rear panel adjacent the second side edge thereof. Free ends of the at least one front strap and the at least one rear strap are releasably secured together to releasably, partially seal the second side edges together. Preferably, a pair of front straps and a pair of rear straps are provided, allowing at least one opening to be formed between the pairs of straps when secured together. The at least one opening allows for the passage of tubing from a catheter to the chemotherapy pump therethrough.

Additionally, the upper edges of the front and rear panels are releasably sealed together by a zipper or the like. Further, first and second straps are provided, with each being respectively secured to the first and second side edges of the rear panel. Free ends of the first and second straps are releasably secured to one another by a quick release buckle or the like in order to secure the pouch about the user's waist.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of the carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients, showing the pouch in a sealed configuration.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, the carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients 10 is shown. The carrying pouch 10 is a waist-mounted pouch adapted for storing and carrying a chemotherapy pump and bag set. It should be understood that chemotherapy pump P, bag B, the interconnecting tubing T and catheter C are shown for exemplary purposes only. As best shown in FIG. 2, the carrying pouch 10 includes front and rear panels 12, 14, respectively, with each of the front and rear panels 12, 14 having first and second longitudinally opposed side edges and laterally opposed upper and lower edges. The lower edges of the front and rear panels 12, 14 are secured together at 16, and the first side edges of the front and rear panels 12, 14 are also secured together at 18 by stitching or the like. Front and rear panels 12, 14 may have any desired dimensions, dependent upon the size of the user, and the nature of the contents stored within pouch 10. Exemplary dimensions include a longitudinal length of approximately 14½ inches and a height of approximately eight inches. Front and rear panels 12, 14 are preferably formed from a washable material, such as vinyl or cotton, for example. It should be understood that pouch 10 may be used to store other medical items, such as a portable oxygen tank.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, both the upper edges and the second side edges are releasably sealed together, allowing the user to access the open space defined between the front and rear panels 12, 14 through either the upper edge of the pouch, or through one side of the pouch (the left side in FIGS. 2 and 3, although it should be understood that the open and closed ends may be reversed). The open space formed between the front and rear panels 12, 14 is sized to receive the chemotherapy pump P, bag B and associated tubing T.

At least one front strap 28 is secured to the front panel 12 adjacent the second side edge thereof, and at least one rear strap 32 is similarly secured to the rear panel 14 adjacent the second side edge thereof. The secured ends of straps 28, 32 are secured to front and rear panels 12, 14, respectively, by stitching or the like. Free ends of the at least one front strap 28 and the at least one rear strap 32 are releasably secured together to releasably, partially seal the second side edges together. Any suitable releasable fastener may be utilized, such as hook and loop fasteners 30, 34, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, a pair of front straps 28 and a pair of rear straps 32 are provided, allowing at least one opening to be formed between the pairs of straps 28, 32 when they are secured together. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pairs of straps 28, 32 are secured together by hook and loop fasteners 30, 34, the opening formed therebetween allows for the passage of catheter tubing C therethrough. When open, as in FIG. 2, the user may also access the interior of the bag through the side opening. Using the exemplary dimensions given above, the uppermost straps may be secured to front and rear panels 12, 14, respectively, approximately 2½ inches from the upper edge of the respective panel. The opening formed between the straps, allowing for the passage of catheter tubing C, may have a height of approximately two inches. Each strap 28, 32 may have a length of approximately three inches.

Additionally, the open upper end 36, defined by the upper edges of the front and rear panels 12, 14, is releasably sealed by any suitable releasable fastener, such as zipper 38 or the like. Further, first and second straps 20, 22 are provided, with each being respectively secured to the first and second side edges of the rear panel 14. The fixed ends of straps 20, 22 are secured to rear panel 14 by stitching or the like. Free ends of the first and second straps 20, 22 are releasably secured to one another by a quick release buckle 24, 26 or the like, as is conventionally known in the fields of backpacks and waist-mounted bags, in order to secure the pouch about the user's waist. It should be understood that any suitable releasable, adjustable fastener may be utilized. The fixed ends of straps 20, 22 may be secured to rear panel 12 approximately ½ inches from the upper edge of panel 12 (using the exemplary dimensions given above). Strap 22 preferably has a length of approximately 36 inches, and strap 20 preferably has a length of approximately eight inches, with quick release buckle 24, 26 allowing for an adjustable length once the straps are fastened to one another.

Additionally, a plurality of pockets 40, 42, 44, 46 are formed on an outer face of the front panel 12. Although four such pockets are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the panel 12 may have any suitable number of pockets. As shown, pockets 40, 42, 44 and 46 are preferably formed in differing sizes, allowing each pocket to serve a different function. Using the exemplary dimensions given above, pocket 40 may have a longitudinal width of approximately four inches, pocket 42 may have a longitudinal width of approximately 2½ inches, pocket 44 may have a longitudinal width of approximately 1½ inches, and pocket 46 may have a longitudinal width of approximately 5½ inches. With these exemplary dimensions, pocket 40 may hold, for example, a cellular telephone, pocket 42 may hold, for example, a credit or debit card, pocket 44 may hold, for example, a pen or pencil, and pocket 46 may hold, for example, a notepad. It should be understood that the dimensions and utility of pockets 40, 42, 44 and 46 are given above for exemplary purposes only.

Pleats may be formed between adjacent ones of pockets 40, 42, 44 and 46. Further, using the exemplary dimensions given above, the lower, closed ends of each pocket may be spaced apart from the lower edge of front panel 12 by approximately ⅜ of an inch. The outer vertical edges of pockets 40 and 46 may be spaced apart from the second and first side edges of front panel 12, respectively, by approximately ½ inches.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients, comprising: front and rear panels, each of the front and rear panels having first and second longitudinally opposed side edges and laterally opposed upper and lower edges, the lower edges of the front and rear panels being secured together, and the first side edges of the front and rear panels being secured together, an open space being defined between the front and rear panels for receiving a chemotherapy pump and a bag associated with the chemotherapy pump; means for partially securing the second side edges of the front and rear panels together, at least one opening being formed between the second side edges of the front and rear panels for receiving catheter tubing associated with the chemotherapy pump; means for releasably securing the upper edges of the front and rear panels together; and means for releasably securing the rear panel about the waist of a user.
 2. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 1, wherein the second side edges of the front and rear panels are releasably, partially secured together.
 3. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 2, further comprising: at least one front strap secured to said front panel adjacent the second side edge thereof; at least one rear strap secured to said rear panel adjacent the second side edge thereof; and means for releasably securing a free end of the at least one front strap to a free end of the at least one rear strap.
 4. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for releasably securing the free end of the at least one front strap to the free end of the at least one rear strap comprise hook and loop fasteners.
 5. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably securing said rear panel about the waist of the user comprise: first and second straps, each being respectively secured to the first and second side edges of said rear panel; and means for releasably securing free ends of the first and second straps together.
 6. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 5, wherein said means for releasably securing the free ends of the first and second straps together comprises a quick release buckle.
 7. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket formed on an outer face of said front panel.
 8. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably securing the upper edges of said front and rear panels together comprises a zipper.
 9. A carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients, comprising: front and rear panels, each of said front and rear panels having first and second longitudinally opposed side edges and laterally opposed upper and lower edges, the lower edges of said front and rear panels being secured together, and the first side edges of said front and rear panels being secured together, an open space being defined between said front and rear panels for receiving a chemotherapy pump and a bag associated with the chemotherapy pump; at least one front strap secured to said front panel adjacent the second side edge thereof; at least one rear strap secured to said rear panel adjacent the second side edge thereof; means for releasably securing a free end of the at least one front strap to a free end of the at least one rear strap, at least one opening being formed between the second side edges of said front and rear panels for receiving catheter tubing associated with the chemotherapy pump; means for releasably securing the upper edges of said front and rear panels together; and means for releasably securing said rear panel about the waist of a user.
 10. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for releasably securing the free end of the at least one front strap to the free end of the at least one rear strap comprise hook and loop fasteners.
 11. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for releasably securing said rear panel about the waist of the user comprise: first and second straps, each being respectively secured to the first and s second side edges of said rear panel; and means for releasably securing free ends of the first and second straps together.
 12. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for releasably securing the free ends of the first and second straps together comprises a quick release buckle.
 13. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 9, further comprising at least one pocket formed on an outer face of said front panel.
 14. The carrying pouch for chemotherapy patients as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for releasably securing the upper edges of said front and rear panels together comprises a zipper. 